Iranian state radio reported Tuesday that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said any attack on Afghanistan following terror strikes on the United States will lead to a "humanitarian tragedy."
It said Ivanov made the remark in a phone call to his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharazi.
"A military attack on Afghanistan will end in a humanitarian tragedy," it quoted him saying, adding Ivanov had pressed for "the need for international cooperation to fight terrorism."
Kharazi meanwhile reiterated Tehran's opposition to any "hasty" decisions, "which could lead to even more catastrophic reactions."
The Iranian minister also lashed out at the "organs of Zionist propaganda which are taking advantage of the situation to link the recent terrorist incidents to events in the Middle East."
Kharazi said earlier that any international coalition like that being proposed by the United States would fail to get wide support unless headed by the United Nations.
Iran has condemned the September 11 attacks on the United States, which left thousands dead and which Washington has blamed on Saudi-born Islamist dissident Osama bin Laden, who is being sheltered in Afghanistan.
But supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday: "The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns any eventual military action in Afghanistan which would lead to a new human catastrophe."
Ivanov has previously indicated Russia is ready to assist in a possible US strike on Afghanistan. He left for Washington on Tuesday for talks with his US counterpart Colin Powell -- TEHRAN (AFP)
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